Howling Buzzing Noise (Sounds like a dirtbike)
 

So, on my wife's 09 HHR we've had a clunking noise a couple years ago. Replaced the front hubs with some cheapies, that faired well but have always been a slight ticking/clunking from time to time. (Yes, I know I probably should of bough Timkens).

My wife mentions to me a sound coming from her car at speed that sounds like a dirtbike. My wife only drives 3 min to work, so she never really gets up to speed. But this week she drove to the mall, and noticed the noise.

So, I took it for a ride today. It does sound like a knobby tire noise (almost like something is rubbing). Buzzing/Humming type noise. You cant feel anything in the steering wheel, there's no shaking or anything like that.

The noise, get's louder with speed. Starts around 20mph, and increases up to 50mph (I have not exceeded 50 mph while test driving it). The sound is louder when you hold speed vs accelerating. (IE- Coasting)

While holding speed, and you turn to the left around a corner in the road the sound decreases. The road I was on, didn't have enough curve in it to test turning right.

My first assumption would be the hubs are crapped out (mainly due to the cheap fleabay ones I slapped on there).

Any test or anything I can do to verify that it is the hubs? And any other test I can do to inspect for other items that you may think it could be?

I've searched, and it seems that I'm correct, but I haven't seen the specific description that I've stated.

Thanks guys!

Cracked flex pipe (unless it is an SS. Maybe CV. Endplay tolerance on hubs is .015 inch.

Sounds like your cheapie hub took a dump. The buzzing/humming noise you are hearing is the bearing eating itself up. Based on your testing, my guess is that it's the drivers side.

FWIW, if you have one failing, the other is not far behind.

My guess.

Yeah, last time we had to do them we were in a different financial stage of our life. I can swing for the Timkens this time.

It does not vary with Engine RPM, only MPH.
So, essentially I can yank them straight out and check play. If there's any noticible movement (you won't feel .015 by hand), without a doubt it's hubs.

Exactly!

I have no issue with the cheap hubs, you can replace them 3-4 times for the price of "brand name" made in the same factory.

Understandably, I have done the same thing with cars/trucks I own and drive myself. When it's the better half, I don't like those phone conversations that start with "My Car....." Especially when I'm out of town working on a project.

The last one of those I got was a couple of weeks ago when she said the transmission of her STS-V was shifting funny, then the check engine light came on and now it feels like it's stuck in one gear.... which it was it defaults to 3rd gear when it has an issue.

I know, way off topic. Just sayin I understand the circumstances and the remedies.

Buzzing sound above 15 mph
 

What was the problem with ur hhr? I'm having the exact same symptoms?

It’s a 6 year old thread.
And you’re asking a question to a person that hasn’t been here in almost 3 years.

If I recall correctly it was hubs. We gave the car to our kiddo and then she traded it in a couple years ago.